11th March - mostly cloudy, 11C, SE wind light, brisk pm

Stanford reservoir.  On the way I had a quick look at Shawell sandpit for Little-ringed Plover, absent but a adult Yellow-legged Gull was present.  Along the lane after Shawell a Red Kite was hunting over the fields.

At the reservoir the recent heavy rain had stirred the water up and was looking quite mucky, however the ducks seemed to find there was plenty of food and were feeding busily.  About 300 Wigeon, c60 Pochard, good numbers of Tufted and Gadwall, 4+ Goldeneye.  Three Goosander, one a male, were also present. At least 20 Cormorant were on the water or in trees.
A pair of Grey Wagtail were feeding on floating weeds near the dam, on the dam an Oystercatcher was feeding - the fist returning bird of Spring.

10+ Tree Sparrows at the feed station with Chaffinch, Blue, Great and a Coal Tit.  On the ground at least 2 rats - food for the Barn Owls.   A Jay and Stock Dove flew passed. On the adjacent fallow field at least 20 Lesser Redpoll were feeding and several Skylark were singing.  A pair of Bullfinch were in the hedgerow, also 4 Long-tailed Tits were involved in some for of territory dispute.

Willey;  at 1630h a single Curlew flew passed the village NE, called once.  Hope this means the (near) local birds will return and successfully breed.